In 1989, the people of China stood up against their socialist government. Those who watched by television will never forget the image of the lone valiant man standing against the tanks rolling into Tiananmen Square.

Uzziah became king at the ripe age of 16. He was bright, talented, politically astute and he did what was right in the sight of the Lord (2 Chronicles 26:4). It was a very good beginning for the young king, but it’s not so much about how you start, but how you finish that defines a person.

The enemies of the nation of Judah had reason to fear. God had blessed King Uzziah with military victories over his enemies. His fame as a leader spread and as it did, his pride grew. His pride led him to barge into the temple, thinking there were no boundaries for him. He was good enough to approach God on his own merit.

Eighty-one priests bravely confronted the king, who became enraged. These men couldn’t tell the king what he could and could not do. He was the king! But the men would not bow down to the king for his ungodliness.

God struck King Uzziah with leprosy, a skin disease that made him a social outcast for the remainder of his 52-year reign.

After so many millennia, not much has changed. We have leaders who begin well, but power corrupts them into thinking they can do anything they choose, even when it is illegal or ungodly. They forget that their authority comes from God (Romans 13:1).

We have people who believe they can approach God on their own terms and in their own self-righteous merit without regard for what God says. They disregard the notion that grace alone through Christ alone provides entry into the presence of God (Ephesians 3:12).

All we are missing today are the valiant servants of God who will confront the king and not back down.